Mazda was on to something when they combined a compact rear wheel drive platform with a lightweight racing inspired power plant to create the first Rotary Experimental model for the Japanese automaker. Through three generations of RX-7, the sports car has proven itself to be a show winner as well as track day competitor. It was the second generation FC3S RX-7 that introduced rotary enthusiasts to boost and took the agile Mazda to the next level with the RX-7 Turbo II. However it wasn’t until 1992 when the automaker from Hiroshima launched the last RX-7 that we have all come to know and admire. With its round sculpted arches and twin turbocharged 13B power plant making 265 HP, the FD (as it is known) was capable of running with super cars well beyond its output and price.
Mazda stopped importing RX-7s into the U.S. in 1995, ever since then, sports car enthusiasts have been awaiting the return of the Mazda RX-7, especially since the turbocharged rotary powered rocket ship disappeared from the world market in 2002. Well there is good news because it looks like the rumors are coming true, and a 21st century RX-7 will be on display at the Tokyo Motor Show.
This rendering shows a vehicle that has been heavily influenced by the company’s Nagare design language, except that an RX-7, by its nature, must go one step beyond any of the Mazda’s recent concepts. The production version of the RX-8’s successor will not make an appearance until the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show and will feature Mazda’s new rotary engine.
In an attempt to downsize the fun in their lineup, the automaker from Hiroshima is preparing a smaller version of their popular MX-5, the MX-2, a model set to be unveiled in 2012. Anyone who has ever found himself or herself behind the wheel of Mazda’s current lightweight rear wheel drive drop top will tell you that this reinvention of the classic English roadster is the best new car on the market, for the money. So a smaller MX-5 should also be lighter and less expensive.
The MX-2’s front end has swooping lines that that were strongly inspired by the Mazda Furai concept with some Ferrari California inspired headlamps, while the rest of the body reminds us of the newly redesigned BMW Z4 roadster. The smaller Miata will compete with upcoming models like the Mini Speedster and possible Nissan Urge.
You would think that while Mazda’s engineers were scaling down the roadster that they might have skimped on the output, but not from the Zoom-Zoom family. In an attempt at downsizing and turbo charging the top of the line model will have a 1.6 Liter four, boosted to make 160 HP. With a power package like that, Mazda’s MX-2 could become even more of a hit than the Miata. If enough of these turbocharged sports cars actually move off of dealer’s lots, it could inspire the Japanese automaker to resurrect another great sports car, the RX-7.
Only a few days ago, Top Speed reported that the Japanese automaker, Toyota, is preparing a roadster version of their iQ city car. It turns out that they are not the only car builder from the Pacific island nation working on an open air subcompact.
The manufacturer from Hiroshima, Mazda, is also working on a roadster version of their smallest vehicle, the Mazda2. The new roadster is a response to sporty, fuel efficient models from Europe, like the upcoming Renault Twingo CC, Opel Tigra and Peugeot 207 CC. The roadster will be powered by the same engines that are found under the hood of the hatchback version, starting with a 1.3 Liter four cylinder and a larger 1.5 Liter gas burning engine. For those who like their fuel from a larger nozzle, Mazda will offer both a 1.4 Liter and a 1.6 Liter turbo diesel power plant to motivate the new roadster.
There is no word on a turbocharged gasoline engine or even a rotary powered roadster. Both are a bit too thirsty for the Mazda2’s intended customers, but wouldn’t it be exciting to see a compact Mazda city car powered by a 13B.
Mazda’s rotary powered rocket, the RX-8, has been given a few updates by the Japanese automaker in order to keep their sports car current and a bit more user friendly. The four-door, four-passenger sport compact has received rain-sensing windshield wipers, Mazda’s auto-light system and an audio-less option, all standard. However the most striking of the recent upgrades comes in the form of two new color choices for the exterior: Aluminum Metallic and Metropolitan Gray Mica.
Mazda has left the lovable 13B alone; the two-rotor motor still makes 232 HP in manually shifter vehicles. However, we are still awaiting word of a turbocharger.
Press release after the jump.
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The 2009 Mazda Miata, or MX-5 as it is known around the world, is a great car if you have one thing in mind, fun. You won’t be able to pick up a friend from the airport after their month long European vacation; there simply isn’t the room. When it comes to bringing someone along for the ride, you will have to choose between your girlfriend (or boyfriend) or your dog. You will have to keep a beanie in the glove box for cold days, because driving with the top up is just unacceptable.
However if you are the type of driver who looks forward to getting behind the wheel, like to compete in autocross events or just want to play Mario Andretti on your commute to work, the Mazda Miata is what you are looking for. Sure there are no big turbos or V8 rumble, instead you will find a reliable four cylinder engine that revs higher than the previous model, and although the 170 HP Miata won’t win any dyno competitions, it is more than enough power to motivate the 2,400 pound open air roadster to do things you would expect from a much more exotic, more expensive vehicle.
Continued after the jump.
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Remember the Kiyora concept revealed at the Paris Motor Show in 2008? Its lines inspired the new baby Mazda1 that will be revealed at the Paris Motor Show, most probably in a prototype version, followed by a production version in 2011.
The new Mazda1 is based on a shrinked version of the Mazda2 and features differently shaped taillights and headlamps, and shorter rear doors.
Under the hood Mazda placed a 1.3-litre direct-injection petrol engine, with a Smart Idle Stop System (SISS) that automatically shuts down and restarts the engine as required. Mat this to a newly developed six-speed automatic transmission and you will get a CO2 emissions to just 90g/km or less.
Mazda will bring three new models to the New York Auto Show and one of them is the redesigned 2010 Mazda CX-9.
The CX-9 is a seven-passenger, three-row crossover SUV with unique driving dynamics that are not found in its segment. For the 2010 model year, the CX-9 receives an exterior and interior facelift, added options and reinforced safety features, while further improving Zoom-Zoom driving characteristics.
The 2010 CX-7 crossover SUVs and MAZDASPEED3 high-performance compact 5-door will also make their North American debut.
Press release after the jump.
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Mazda is looking for some promotion during the 2009 Targa Tasmania by calling its entry "the only rotary-powered performance car in Australia". This Aussie race is something that we normally wouldn’t cover very heavily, and low-level news like an RX-8 entering the competition would usually only be posted on a very slow day, but then something interesting caught our eye in the press release.
As it turns out this RX-8 will be allowed to compete with a turbocharger. The rotary cars from Mazda haven’t been turbocharged since the RX-7, which was discontinued in 2002 (1995 in the U.S.)
Mazda didn’t release performance figures on the car it’s calling the RX-8 SP. We’re betting there is a significant increase to the 232 hp and at least a second shaved off the standard car’s 0 to 60 time of six seconds.
Press release after the jump.
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The facelift version of the Mazda RX-8 made its world debut last year at the Detroit Auto Show. And since then we haven’t heard much about it. But today we bring you the first real life photo of the car made here in Miami.
The facelifted Mazda RX8 was presented side by side with the SpeedSource Castrol Syntec Mazda RX-8, winner of the GT class at the Rolex 24 at Daytona to kick off the 2008 GrandAm season.
The 2009 Mazda RX-8 is available as either a 232-hp model fitted with a six-speed manual transmission, or a 212-hp model fitted with a six-speed Sport A/T automatic with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters for a Formula 1-style driving experience.
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The 2009 Mazda6 (Euro specs) is one of the safest cars in the world: five-stars rating by the European New Car Assessment Programme.
For 2009, Euro NCAP has implemented a more stringent evaluation system that awards a single overall vehicle safety rating combining the scores achieved in four areas of assessment: Adult Occupant Protection, Child Protection, Pedestrian Protection and Safety Assist. The Mazda6 was in the first group of vehicles tested under the new framework.
Mazda models in Europe that received the highest possible five stars for Adult Occupant Protection under the previous Euro NCAP rating system include the Mazda5 (Mazda Premacy) in September 2005 and the Mazda2 (Mazda Demio) in December 2007.
Press release after the jump.
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